UK Games Expo

The UK Games Expo was first held in 2007,^[9] organised by Richard J. Denning and Tony Hyams. Apart from 2020 the event has grown year on year and in 2026 had over 87,837 daily participations, making it the largest tabletop games event in the UK and the third largest in the world.^[4] In 2020 the event was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[10][11] The event returned in person in 2021 with additional COVID-19 guidelines.^[10] In 2022 the event removed the COVID-19 guidelines introduced the prior year.^[12] In 2024 it broke exhibitor and attendance records from 2023. ^[13]

In 2025, the show grew again to establish itself at the top table of worldwide tabletop game conventions. Trade was now in halls 2, 3, 3a and 4. In 2026, which was the 20th anniversary of UK Games Expo, they saw attendance hit record levels with 87,837 visitors across the weekend, showing the industry is thriving in the current climate.^[14]

In 2008, the expo hosted the official launch of Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition in the UK.^[15]

Show features at UK Games Expo:

• The world's largest bring & buy.^{[16][non-primary source needed]}
• More than 900 exhibitors.^{[17][non-primary source needed]}
• Live entertainment.^{[18][non-primary source needed]}
• Tournaments and national events in a variety of game systems.^[6][18]
• Seminars.^[18]
• 4000+ Open gaming seats.
• Cosplay and living history village.^{[19][20][non-primary source needed]}
• Dedicated family zone.^{[21][non-primary source needed]}

Special Guests at previous UK Games Expo include:^[22]

• Luke Gygax^[23]
• Sir Ian Livingstone^[24]
• No Rolls Barred
• The Dice Tower
• Shut Up and Sit Down
• No Pun Included
• Alex Kammer
• Tim Hutchings
• Simon Fisher-Becker^[25]
• Ben Aaronovitch^[26]
• Alex Yeager
• Chris Barrie^[27]
• John Robertson
• Hugo Myatt
• Kenny Baker
• Colin Baker

Attendance

Attendance figures released by the organizers are published each year in their exhibitor pack.^[28]

In 2026 the Expo broke the single-day NEC attendance record^[29]

More information Year, Uniques ...

Year	Uniques	Attendance
2007	900	1,200
2008	1,200	2,000
2009	1,800	2,500
2010	2,000	2,700
2011	2,455	3,585
2012	2,879	4,046
2013	3,538	5,805
2014	5,805	9,919
2015	7,162	13,971
2016	12,636	25,149
2017	16,500	30,698
2018	21,700	39,000
2019	25,704	45,097
2020 (online)	N/A	N/A
2021	10,671	18,430
2022	23,163	39,527
2023	31,117	52,888
2024	39,306	65,281
2025	42,000	72,000
2026	51,196	87,837

Close

Each year the show awards the UKGE Awards which are split into two broad categories: The People’s Choice, which are voted on by expo attendees, and the Judge’s Choice, which are voted on by invited judges or delegates.^[5][30] UKGE rewards different game styles, including abstract games, strategic games, party games and more, as well as expansions, accessories, role-playing games, novelties, etc.^[31][32][33]

• Festival International des Jeux
• Gen Con
• Hellana Games - Festival of Games and History
• Lucca Comics & Games
• Origins Game Fair
• Spiel

• Official website